Student Spotlight: Reuben Forman (MPA 2024)
As a housing advocate and Co-Chair of the Stonewall Policy Alliance (SPA), Reuben Forman (MPA 2024) is embracing the Wagner student experience as an opportunity to gain hands-on expertise in policy research as well as build community amongst queer public service leaders.
Can you share a bit about yourself and what motivated you to attend a school of public service?
From an early age, I was enrolled in special education programs, and I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in publicly funded initiatives that paved the way for my academic success. I came to understand that my access to such support was influenced by my positionality and my parents' connections.
This experience served as a stark lesson that America possesses the potential to unlock the best in every individual, yet often falls short due to policies that are inherently racist and driven by capitalism. My deep-rooted passion for housing policy stems from witnessing how my hometown, Washington, D.C., was profoundly shaped by development centered around capitalist segregationist practices.
After completing my college education, I actively engaged in political campaigns and later joined the City of The District of Columbia, where I worked in constituent services and affordable housing programs. The ongoing pandemic served as a catalyst, driving me to continue pursuing my passion through further studies in public service.
I decided to enroll at Wagner to specialize in housing policy, recognizing it as one of the preeminent programs in this field. Here, I have been able to learn from the unique urban landscape of New York City and further develop my expertise in housing policy, with the goal of contributing to more equitable and inclusive housing practices for my hometown in the future.
In addition to being a MPA student, you previously worked as a research assistant at the NYU Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy. How has your coursework and research expanded your understanding of housing policy and public service?
Undoubtedly, my time at the Furman Center stands out as one of the highlights of my journey at Wagner. It was a privilege to immerse myself in the world of dedicated public servants, researchers and activists who are unwaveringly committed to ensuring housing for all Americans. My experience at the Furman Center and the coursework I pursued at Wagner provided me with a profound understanding of the intricate complexities inherent in housing and social infrastructure. This journey has honed my ability to critically analyze policy practices and the effective implementation of programs. Currently, I'm engaged in a client capstone project aimed at enhancing the application process for the NYC Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) using a trauma-centered framework.
What do you enjoy most about your role as co-chair of the Stonewall Policy Alliance (SPA)? How has it shaped your student experience?
What I find most rewarding about my role as co-chair of the Stonewall Policy Alliance (SPA) is the unique blend of personal and professional growth it offers. Having been part of LGBTQIA student groups in both high school and undergrad, I've come to appreciate the distinctive aspect that graduate school involvement brings: the connection between our roles as public servants and our core values.
Working in the public and non-profit sectors frequently necessitates a deep examination of ourselves and the power dynamics we are engaged in. In this context, building a community and networks of queer policy makers is invaluable.
When I arrived at Wagner in fall 2021, student group events were still being held online, and the impact of the pandemic had left the group primarily inactive. I am proud of the work myself and the executive board have done to revive this group and foster a community of queer policy makers. SPA has played a crucial role in shaping my student experience, grounding me in my convictions, and creating essential connections as future public servants.
Special thanks in this article must go to Alex Monroe, who has gone above and beyond in their role to ensure this group has everything it needs to succeed, and my fellow and past board members! Without them this group would not experience the success we have seen.
Project/Co-Chair: Narmin Jivani
Outreach & Social Media Chair: Ceinna Little
Finance Chair: Amanda Maurer
Former Co-Chair: Jeremy Bohmstein (MPA 2023)
Looking ahead, what are your hopes for SPA in this new academic year? How can people get involved?
We're filled with excitement for the year ahead! We're eagerly looking forward to hosting events this semester, such as our upcoming picnic in Washington Square Park on Saturday, October 14. Additionally, we've joined forces with Christopher Street Walking Tours to curate a tour of significant locations around NYU's Washington Square Park Campus that played a pivotal role in the queer liberation movement. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 4 for this enlightening experience.
Moreover, either later this semester or early next, we're in the planning stages for an impactful panel discussion centered on the LGBTQIA community's insights into creating permanent supportive housing. It's important to note that LGBTQIA individuals are more than twice as likely to face homelessness and housing instability in their lifetime. Our events this year encapsulate what makes SPA special—blending advocacy with academic curiosity to foster a space vital for future policy makers.
To stay updated on all our activities, please fill out our intake survey. Additionally, we currently have openings on our executive board, and applications are due by Friday, October 6. This is a fantastic opportunity to take an active role in shaping SPA's mission and impact during this academic year.